UPDATE: Hurricane Melissa has just made landfall in eastern Cuba near the city of Chivirico as a Category 3 storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The storm struck early Wednesday, following a devastating impact on Jamaica where it was recorded as one of the strongest hurricanes in Atlantic history.
As the hurricane roars through, hundreds of thousands of residents have been evacuated to shelters across Cuba. A hurricane warning is currently in effect for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas, as well as the southeastern and central Bahamas.
Hurricane Melissa is expected to generate a life-threatening storm surge of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) and unleash as much as 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain in parts of eastern Cuba. Michael Brennan, director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, warned that “numerous landslides are likely in those areas,” raising concerns about safety and infrastructure.
The situation is particularly dire as Cuba grapples with a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by ongoing power blackouts and shortages of fuel and food. In a televised address, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel assured the public that “no one is left behind” and that resources are being mobilized to safeguard lives. However, he cautioned against underestimating the power of Melissa, calling it “the strongest ever to hit national territory.”
Classes have already been suspended from Guantánamo to Camagüey, and the urgent preparations are underway as local officials brace for the storm’s impact throughout the morning.
Meanwhile, Jamaica is also reeling from the storm’s effects, which included top sustained winds of 185 mph (295 kph). Reports indicate extensive damage in southern Jamaica, particularly in the Clarendon region, where flooding has left homes submerged. The storm has already been linked to seven deaths across the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica and others in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Over 500,000 customers in Jamaica are currently without power, and officials are working to assess the damage to four hospitals, one of which had to evacuate 75 patients due to power outages. The Jamaican government plans to reopen airports as soon as Thursday to facilitate the distribution of emergency supplies.
Residents in Cuba are urged to remain sheltered as Hurricane Melissa continues its path through the region. The storm is forecast to weaken as it crosses Cuba but is expected to retain strength as it heads toward the Bahamas and potentially approaches Bermuda by late Thursday.
Stay tuned for further updates as this dangerous storm develops.
